Thankful Hope

Give thanks to the LORD and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

 
Thankfulness. Sometimes it comes easily. And sometimes not. Being thankful for what we have, for the obvious blessings, for the good things: we might not always be as thankful as we should, but when we are reminded to be thankful, it's not too difficult. It's harder when things are not going well. It's easy to get swallowed up by despair when illness, loss, loneliness, or distress cloud our view. Thankfulness seems impossible, or at the very least, weak and temporary.

We might read the Scripture, Give thanks to the LORD and praise his name, and think, For what? For this pain? For this grief? For what destroyed my home or family? For these trials that are too great to bear? Sure, things were great once, but now? What do I have to be thankful for today?

If you've had these thoughts or are having them now, you're not alone. I've had them. Others have had them. Many are feeling the same way. We might put on our happy face and enjoy a holiday meal with family or friends. We might even feel joy and admit we DO have things to be thankful for, but after the temporary feelings of gratitude fade, when tomorrow comes and it's back to the daily grind, we plummet back into the reality of our circumstances and might even feel worse than before.

A joyful holiday can't solve everything. A day of thankfulness isn't enough to carry us through a difficult year. Even if our life is generally going well, we need more than a thankful heart. We need more than blessings to truly be content and joyful. We need to remember who we are. We need to know God is God.

If we look at all of Psalm 100, we see there are conditions to having a thankful heart. It's not something that comes automatically, nor should it be forced. It's not a "grin and bear it" attitude. It's not even about recognizing how blessed we really are. It's about whose we are and how we are made to live--as those who belong to God; as those who are loved unconditionally.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness,

Come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

God is God, and He is our God. He is your God. We can be thankful because He is the Good Shepherd and He cares for His sheep. He will never abandon us. He will protect and provide for His flock--always. If a sheep wanders off, He will go after it. If one runs away, He waits patiently for its return--welcoming us with open arms. Being thankful is more than an attitude, it's a way of being. It's a mindset of being the object of His love.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good

and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Being thankful isn't only about recognizing our blessings. It's about knowing our blessings come from God and we are loved. It might not seem like it right now, but He IS faithful. He IS good. He will see you through whatever is difficult now. He will surround you with His love. He will carry you. He will rescue you. You can be thankful for what is coming, even if you can't see it yet. 

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart.

Those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.

Isaiah 40:11,31

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo credit: Freeimages.com/skyro 

Letting Go

"You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

The words of Jesus often hit me right between the eyes. Calling them profound is an understatement, but that’s exactly what they are: truthful, weighty, thought-provoking. When Jesus speaks these words to Peter: "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Mark 8:33), they are a pretty severe rebuke, but to Peter's credit, he was trying to do a noble thing. Jesus tells the Disciples the time of His death is near, and Peter steps in to say, "Don’t say that!" He doesn’t want to hear any talk about Jesus being defeated. That isn’t the plan. That can’t happen, and Peter isn’t afraid to set Jesus straight.

But as is often the case, Jesus isn’t swayed by human emotions. He understands where Peter is coming from, but He can’t accept his way of thinking. It's human. It’s short-sighted and counter-productive. Jesus came to teach and demonstrate the love of God. That was His purpose, His destiny, His way of telling the world that God's mercy extends to all. To put it mildly, taking that away made no sense to Jesus. "Are you being serious right now, Peter?" (He actually uses stronger words: “Get behind me, Satan!”)

I know Jesus has spoken these words to me too, in a variety of ways. And while there is always that element of rebuke in bringing my thinking into alignment with His, there is also freedom in knowing the burdens of my heart are of little significance in light of God’s perfect ways. What I see as hardship, confusion, failure, pain, loss, and negativity, He sees as opportunities for grace, redemption, glory, love, and hope.

Have you ever noticed how gracefully leaves change color, falling delicately to the ground on a sunny autumn day? If we can learn to let go of our thinking in favor of God's higher ways, that's the kind of transformation we can experience too. Timely, graceful, paving the way for future beauty and new growth. 

Don't wait for the violent wind storm to force those stubborn ways of thinking to fall. Don't wait for the rebuke when Jesus has to say, "Are you being serious right now?" God usually speaks to us far before it gets to that point, but whether we act sooner or later, letting go is an act of faith. The mind of man is unreliable, lacking in understanding and proper perspective. But the mind of God is ALWAYS perfect. The things of God are good, intentional, and higher than our own could ever be.

In what ways are you allowing your mind to dwell on the things of man? Do you need a heavenly perspective? It can be tough to let go of our emotions and what we think is right or best, but what God is up to is so much better than we can even imagine.  

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  So all who believe in Christ can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.  And He makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 

 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (paraphrase mine)

God, Help Me!

Come, let us tell of the LORD'S greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.

Psalm 34:3-6

The Psalms: Some call them biblical literature, others poetry. They were originally written as songs to praise Yahweh (the proper name of the Living God, translated as Jehovah or the LORD). We use many of the Psalms to praise God today, and they remind us of His character and greatness. Current artists who write new songs to honor God and tell of His ways are simply modern-day psalmists; so are those who write inspired messages, poetry, and stories. Our words come from more than an artistic gift or imagination. They come from the heart. They come from the Spirit. They come from experience. They come from spiritual revelation--which is a big phrase that simply means, 'I get it. I see and I understand. I believe.'

When David wrote the words of Psalm 34, he had just escaped desperate circumstances. David spent many years of his life living through one crisis after another. God had anointed him to be King of Israel when he was a young boy, but he had to wait to take the throne, and King Saul wanted him dead. Others were after him too, and he escaped death multiple times. How?

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me...
I prayed, and the LORD listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.

He didn't say, 'I was in trouble so I kept my sword handy, and I was a mighty warrior!' That isn't to say he didn't have a sword or he wasn't a great warrior, but his trust was not in his weapons or his own skill and power. He may have been scared and run for his life, but in the end he was able to say, 'I asked God for help and He saved me. He delivered me from the things that scared me.' He wasn't fearless. He was afraid. That's why he cried out to God, his only hope.

We live in a society that says, 'Take care of yourself. Be self-sufficient. Protect yourself. Provide for yourself. Depend on your money. Depend on your education. Depend on your own strength...' The list goes on. What or who are you depending on? What have you placed your faith in? Who do you believe can really help you?

Rescue may come from invisible sources at times, but God often uses people and things to help us. I use a computer to type my blogs and stories. If mine broke, I would need God to provide money for a new one. I am currently healthy, but if I got sick, I would use medicine to cure me or rely on a surgeon's skillful hands (and I have!). I need a home to provide shelter. I eat food to keep my body fueled and healthy. When I am facing a crisis, emotional distress, or physical harm, others may come to my aid. But my trust is not in people or things. It's in God. I trust Him to take care of me. And when the day comes for me to leave this earth, I trust Him to take me to my eternal home in heaven.

Like David, however, I am often afraid. I find comfort in his words when he says, He freed me from all my fears. I don't think David is saying God took the fear away, but rather that He always rescued him from what he feared. And I would agree that's been true for me too. The things I worry about usually don't happen, especially when I ask God to help or protect me (or others) from those specific things. But even when they do happen, it's never as bad as I imagined. God gives me what I need to make it through, grow my faith and character, and even bless me in new ways.

People often ask me where I get the inspiration for my stories. I have a good imagination, and I can come up with tales "out of my head" easily; but the stories--the psalms: the testimonies of God's faithfulness and love and goodness come from my own life. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)  David wrote these words thousands of years ago, but they resonate with my own heart today.

I have tasted His goodness, and I have seen His faithfulness. My prayer is that you will do the same. Trust Him with whatever you need today. Look to Him for help. If you are afraid, ask Him to protect you. If you are confused or feel alone, believe He is near. You are loved. You are His. You can simply say, "God, help me!", and He will.

 

Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

Psalm 36:5

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

As I Have Loved You

This I know. God is on my side. Psalm 56:9

 
God is on my side. Wow. If I could believe that--all the time, every day, in any situation: When I am afraid; When I feel like a failure; When I have a choice to follow God and do what He says is best for me or do my own thing; What would my choice be? What would your choice be? God is on your side. Do you believe that?

Before Jesus gave His life for all mankind and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death for all time, He gave His disciples a command; He said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34)

What's interesting about this command is that it wasn't really new. From the beginning of the Hebrew Nation when Moses led God's people to the Promised Land of Israel, God had given them a few commandments that Jesus Himself said were the most important:"Listen to God...love God with all of your heart...and love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:28-31)

The central part of Jesus' message was love. God's love and mercy for all people was the Good News He came to share. It wasn't earned love, it was love to simply receive: To believe in God's forgiveness, mercy, and blessings and live in that love in every area of life. Not to be religious. Not to follow a long list of rules. Not to offer sacrifices to be forgiven of sin or live under the curse it had brought to the world; But to live in freedom, peace, joy, and love.

So why did Jesus call this a "new" command? Loving others was nothing new, but the original command said '...love your neighbor as yourself.' (Leviticus 19:18). Jesus changed it when He said, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." At first glance, this command actually seems harder than the first, even impossible. To love someone as I love myself, I can probably do that most of the time if I really try, although I'm sure I would still fail at it plenty. But to love others as God loves me? He's kidding, right? How can I possibly love even those closest to me that much, let alone people who annoy me, have different beliefs, hurt me, or are just idiots? Thanks for raising the bar, Jesus--as if it wasn't already high enough. (Eyes-rolling Emoji)

But the beauty of His command can be seen when I take a closer look. It's not just about loving others as God loves me, it's about believing just how much I am loved. God does not expect us to give something that is not a part of us. While some have the ability to love more than others due to upbringing and receiving plenty of human love themselves, no one can love like God loves innately. We simply are not born with that capacity in our broken humanness. We are too selfish, fearful, and weak. We can only love like that when God's love is the central part of our being; and the only way to have that is to receive His love every day, every hour, every moment.

Knowing how much of God's love I'm receiving can be difficult to measure. How much is all? How much is enough? How much am I receiving today compared to yesterday or last month or last year? But here's a good gauge to go by: if you're having trouble loving others, if you're having trouble keeping any of God's commands, you're not receiving enough of His love.

"As I have loved you..." Think about what that means. It means a lot of things, and it means different things to different people. But this I know: It means God is on my side; and He's on yours too. Hear it, believe it, and live like it. Live loved. Live forgiven. Live free. He loves you, He loves you, He loves you; and He is for you, not against you. He is on your side.


Psalm 56:9 (NLT); Mark 12:28-31: paraphrase mine

The God Who Sees Me

There is a story in the Old Testament about a man and his wife who wanted to have a child, probably many children, but the woman was barren. Despite all signs pointing to the contrary, God promised the man he would have a son and as many descendants as the stars in the sky. You have probably heard the story of Abram and Sarai, who were later named Abraham and Sarah. If not, I will fill in the details for you, which in America today would be considered scandalous or even criminal.

But in that day, the suggestion Sarai made to her husband and his agreement to sleep with her servant in order to have a child through Hagar was likely culturally acceptable. This arrangement created problems between Sarai and her servant, however, and caused Hagar to run away. I have done Bible studies and heard sermons that focus on Abram and Sarai's lack of faith to believe Sarai could be the one to bear a child to Abram, as later happened, but I want to look at another part of the story. What happened when Hagar ran away, why did she come back, and whom did she encounter during this time of crisis?

First of all, a little background: Hagar was a slave from Egypt. She was Sarai's maid. Considering Sarai's trust of Hagar to be the one to bear her husband a child, I am guessing Hagar was a faithful, dutiful servant. There is no hint in the narrative of any problems between Hagar and Sarai before this decision was made. But afterwards, when Hagar learned she was pregnant, the text says she no longer respected Sarai and likely became disobedient. Whether this was because she saw herself as being more valuable than a mere slave because she was Abram's wife now too and could give him something Sarai couldn't, or because she hated Sarai for putting her in that position is unclear; but the mistress-servant relationship was lost.

Hagar didn't serve Sarai as she once had and Sarai became harsh with her, causing Hagar to run away. When Hagar came to a well in the wilderness, she stopped and an angel met her there. This reminds me of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman by a well. When He spoke to her and asked for a drink, she responded with "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (John 4:9) In that day, Jewish men typically did not associate with Samaritans, let alone a woman. And in Hagar's day I don't think an angel of Yahweh approaching a slave-woman was commonplace either. Abram and Sarai were royalty, worthy of such a visit, but a maid was just a slave.

Hagar's reaction to the encounter isn't clear at first. The messenger asks her, "Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" (Genesis 16:8) Hagar responds truthfully and the angel instructs her to go back and be submissive to her mistress, then speaks prophetically, telling her she will have a son and many descendants, more than she can count, just as God promised to Abram. At this point Hagar realizes who is speaking to her and declares, "You are the God who sees me." (v. 13)

Her words are similar to the woman at the well who after meeting Jesus told others, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" (John 4:29) In both cases the women knew their sins had been exposed, and yet they weren't threatened by that. If you are trying to hide your sin from God, don't bother. He already knows and He loves you anyway. Allow that truth to set you free. He sees you for who you really are, and that's okay!

Whether you have been wrong, wronged by others, or both, do you believe God sees you? Does He know your name? Does He know your plight? Does He know where you are coming from and where you are going? Does He know your fears, the lonely road you walk, the mistreatment you have suffered? Do you believe He comes to meet you on the journey of despair, heartbreak, confusion, and pain? Do you believe you are worth such love?

Considering that Hagar did go back, faithfully served her master, and endured more mistreatment later, I think she believed where her true value was found. Not in what she gained or gave in this arrangement; Not in how well she served or didn't; Not in what others thought of her; But in the God who saw her. She knew she mattered to Him, and that was enough.

It's okay to ask, 'Why?'

Last year a friend of mine passed away from cancer. She was young. I had only known her for a few years, but she had a big impact on my life. She's a sweet, kind, and loving person. She has a daughter who had recently gotten married, and her life was full of joy.

 

One day I got a message that she was sick. A few days later she was undergoing chemo treatments, and while they were somewhat effective, it wasn't enough. Other complications arose, and she didn't feel well most of the time.

 

Her attitude was amazing. Her spirit never faltered. She had so many people praying for her, and she believed God was going to heal her. I believed He was going to heal her.

She died.

Why?

I have a very blessed life. I have not encountered much tragedy, sickness, or life-altering events. Some, but not a lot. The most difficult times I've had in life are as a mom. 

 

Motherhood is stressful, emotional, and exhausting at times. It's also full of joy and wonderful moments. But it's hard when I'm tired. It's hard when my kids face difficulties I can't fix. It's hard when others tell me I'm doing it wrong.

 

The second-most difficult thing has been medical issues I've had from time to time. I don't tolerate pain well. I am slow to recover from surgery, and I've had six of them. Ugh!

During moments of pain, weariness, distress, frustration, and heartbreak, I've often asked, "Why? Why, God? Why are you allowing this to happen?" (With quiet tears, louder ones, and all-out sobs that shake my whole body.)

I used to feel guilty for asking that. How dare I question God, right? I've heard others say we shouldn't. I've heard people facing great difficulty, sickness, or tragedy say, "I won't question God; I'll just accept His will." If they are sincere, I applaud them. If they're not, I pity them. To not cry out to God in a time of need? That's not right. That's not what He wants.

In God's Kingdom, everything happens for a reason. If we make poor choices that lead to natural consequences, those negative results can wake us up to how we are treating our bodies, how we treat others, time we are wasting, talents we are tossing aside, family and friends we are pushing away, etc. 

 

And if things happen through no fault of our own, God has a reason for allowing it to happen. It's okay to ask, 'Why, God?', but don't walk away in disgust, anger, or pain. Run to Him, cling to Him, and wait for the answer.

"Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you." God invites you to ask, to seek, to knock...to say, "What is going on? Why is this happening? What are You doing? Am I safe? Am I ever going to recover from this? What's Your plan?"

He might not answer immediately, then again, He might. Perhaps He is waiting for you to ask so He can tell you the reason, show you the next step, or provide the way out. 

 

Or maybe He will ask you to wait; to trust Him for now and see what is to come. But one thing is for sure: He will answer.

 

He will explain Himself. He will teach you something, lead you forward, prove His love, strengthen you, carry you... He will give you whatever you most need.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 

 

--King David, Jesus, Me

Scripture taken from Matthew 7:7; Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46

God's Love...More Than You Think

Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Not death or life, angels or demons, nothing today or nothing to come…nothing at all can separate us from His love—I mean, just look at what Jesus did for us! What more proof do we need? 

(Romans 8:37-39)

 
When you think of God's love, what comes to mind? He loves me…He forgives me…He loves me even if I sin or ignore Him? I certainly hope so, because it's true! His love for you is unconditional. There is nothing you can do to earn God's love or make Him love you more.

Your only barrier to experiencing His love is receiving it—but even if you don't think you deserve His love or try to push it away, His love will still reach you in the form of blessings, protection, care, rescue... He loves you too much to leave you completely on your own, and nothing can separate you from His love.

Repeat this truth to yourself:

Nothing can separate me from God's love.

 
If you believe that and are trying to receive as much of His love as you can, I'm sure you have experienced the benefits. It makes a difference in the way you see God, the way you see yourself, and the way you see others. It brings peace and joy. It leads to greater faith. And it makes you more loving.

We can never reach the end of His love, there's always more for Him to give, and there are also new ways we can think about His love. What do I mean by that? Here are a few examples:

You know God loves you even when you make mistakes, sin, and fail; He loves you for what you aren't. But do you know He also loves you for who you are? In other words, He doesn't just love you, He likes you. He loves the unique person you are—who He created you to be. He loves your personality: whether you are outgoing or shy, perky or chill, spontaneous or thoughtful, funny or serious, talented or not… You are His unique creation, and He loves you just the way you are.

Repeat this truth to yourself:

He loves me just for who I am.

 
He also believes in you. Whatever your passion is, He loves that about you and wants to see you reach your full potential. He knows you can succeed, and He wants to help you. There is no need to do it alone or prove anything to Him. He knows who you are and who you can be. So believe what He tells you about yourself. Believe it when He says, "You can do this!" And when you feel weary or overwhelmed, let Him carry you.

Repeat this truth to yourself:

He believes in me, and I'm not on my own.

 
He invests in you. As much as He likes you for who you are, He knows you can be so much more. He knows you have more love to give, more courage to show, more talent to exercise, more traits to refine, and more hope to endure through the challenges. Your life is not a random series of events, problems, good times, bad times, struggles, and victories. It's all part of a plan: God's divine purpose for you. From the moment He first thought of you, He designed every detail of your life.

He knew when you would obey and when you would rebel. He knew when others would be there for you and when they would let you down. He knew what your needs would be, and even if it hasn't always seemed like it, He's been with you every step of the way. And He's not done yet. He is willing to invest whatever it takes to help you rise above your doubts and fears, your weaknesses, your past hurts, your current obstacles, and any unbelief you have about His love for you and your value in His eyes.

Repeat this truth to yourself:

I matter to God;

He has a plan and purpose for me.

 
He is your biggest fan, your loudest cheerleader, your most encouraging and supportive teacher, your greatest mentor, your source of strength, and your best friend. You are His. You are His workmanship. You are His beloved treasure.

Repeat these truths to yourself:

I am His;

I am His workmanship;

I am His beloved treasure.

 
Maybe you don't believe all that yet, but He wants you to. Jesus said,“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20 NKJV)

How does a tiny mustard seed become the largest plant in the garden? It simply becomes who it was designed to be, despite its small beginnings. You can do the same if you are firmly rooted in His love.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust him. Your roots will grow deep into God's love and keep you strong.
(Eph. 3:16-17)

Rom. 8:37-39, Eph. 3:16-17 paraphrase mine
Mustard Seed Photo Credit: David Turner, February 23, 2005. CC
Mustard Plant Photo Credit: www.bibleistrue.com
Sand Heart Photo Credit: FreeImages.com/Jan Willem Geertsma CC